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Nene deal needs more time
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By Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News
July 19, 2006
Nearly three weeks after tying the knot in his native Brazil, power forward Nene still is working on renewing his vows with the Nuggets.
Nene agreed to a six-year, $60 million contract July 2, but the deal remained unofficial Tuesday as both sides tried to finalize the paperwork.
Nuggets director of player personnel Mark Warkentien said the gap between Nene's oral agreement and a final deal should not be viewed as problematic.
"It's all dandy," Warkentien said. "When you put enough attorneys in a room, things go slow."
Part of the delay stemmed from Nene's July 2 wedding and subsequent two-week honeymoon. He returned to Denver on Sunday.
Once Nene signs and the Nuggets finalize a trade for guard J.R. Smith - both could happen today - the Nuggets' salary-cap number for 2006-07 will be a little more than $60 million. The NBA luxury tax threshold is $65.42 million.
CAMP BEGINS: Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony will be among 20 players taking the court today when the U.S. national team opens its training camp in Las Vegas.
Anthony has an excellent chance of playing in the World Championships next month because six players on Team USA's 24-man roster are injured or have personal issues.
Asked last week about the tryout process, Anthony shrugged and said, "If I go out there and do what I've got to do, all my hard work's going to pay off."
Lamar Odom is not attending training camp for personal reasons and Chauncey Billups and Michael Redd will take part in tryouts but will not play in the World Championships. Billups' wife is expecting a child and Redd is getting married.
ELSON WAITS: The agent for restricted free agent center Francisco Elson said he plans to talk with Warkentien today about the future of his client.
Calvin Andrews, who also represents Anthony, is hoping to learn more about whether the Nuggets intend to match a two-year, $6 million offer sheet Elson received from San Antonio.
It is doubtful Andrews or Elson will learn much.
Warkentien reiterated Tuesday a decision about Elson likely will come at the "11th hour." The Nuggets have until Thursday to decide whether to retain Elson or let him sign with the Spurs.
lopezaa@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5388
Nene deal needs more time
STORY TOOLS
Email this story | Print
MORE STORIES
By Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News
July 19, 2006
Nearly three weeks after tying the knot in his native Brazil, power forward Nene still is working on renewing his vows with the Nuggets.
Nene agreed to a six-year, $60 million contract July 2, but the deal remained unofficial Tuesday as both sides tried to finalize the paperwork.
Nuggets director of player personnel Mark Warkentien said the gap between Nene's oral agreement and a final deal should not be viewed as problematic.
"It's all dandy," Warkentien said. "When you put enough attorneys in a room, things go slow."
Part of the delay stemmed from Nene's July 2 wedding and subsequent two-week honeymoon. He returned to Denver on Sunday.
Once Nene signs and the Nuggets finalize a trade for guard J.R. Smith - both could happen today - the Nuggets' salary-cap number for 2006-07 will be a little more than $60 million. The NBA luxury tax threshold is $65.42 million.
CAMP BEGINS: Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony will be among 20 players taking the court today when the U.S. national team opens its training camp in Las Vegas.
Anthony has an excellent chance of playing in the World Championships next month because six players on Team USA's 24-man roster are injured or have personal issues.
Asked last week about the tryout process, Anthony shrugged and said, "If I go out there and do what I've got to do, all my hard work's going to pay off."
Lamar Odom is not attending training camp for personal reasons and Chauncey Billups and Michael Redd will take part in tryouts but will not play in the World Championships. Billups' wife is expecting a child and Redd is getting married.
ELSON WAITS: The agent for restricted free agent center Francisco Elson said he plans to talk with Warkentien today about the future of his client.
Calvin Andrews, who also represents Anthony, is hoping to learn more about whether the Nuggets intend to match a two-year, $6 million offer sheet Elson received from San Antonio.
It is doubtful Andrews or Elson will learn much.
Warkentien reiterated Tuesday a decision about Elson likely will come at the "11th hour." The Nuggets have until Thursday to decide whether to retain Elson or let him sign with the Spurs.
lopezaa@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5388
